Envelope



April '12, 1927.

G. F. HOGAN ENVELOPE Filed April 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

g' 6 1 5 5 a l INVENTOR /Z'wu ATTORNEY G. F. HOGAN ENVELOPE Filed April 9. '19124 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a @fcgi l 6 Il INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES GEORGE FRANCIS HOGAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EN VELOPE.

Application filed April 9, 1924. Serial No; 705,195.

This .invention relates to envelopes, the particular object of the invention being to provide an envelope having all of the desirable qualities of the ordinary envelope Without making it necessary to send a letter or other mail matter in the envelope as first class mail.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide an envelope with a loose side flap, s0 that it will not require first class postage. As a rule these attempts have not been successful for several reasons, one of which is that it is not an easy matter to insert a letter or circular in an envelope having a loose side Hap. A further disadvantage is that this loose flap is oftentimes pulled out accidentally and the contents of the envelope lost before the letter reaches its destination. The Well-known scheme of tucking the sealing` flap of an ordinary envelope inside the envelope in order to avoid paying first class postage is notoriously unsatisfactory. The sealing flap usually pulls out before the lettcr reaches its destination.

In order to provide an envelope which can be handled as easily as an ordinary envelope when the mail mat-ter is being` inserted therein, and which will safely enclose the contents until the letter reaches its destination. and at the same time avoid paying first class postage, I have devised an envelope having one or more loose aps which are held in position properly to facilitate insert- .ing the mail matter into the envelope.

The Post Office regulations providing that an envelope all flaps of which are sealed must be sent as first class matter, are not violated by the use of a single spot of gum to hold tivo or more flaps of the envelope together While the mail matter is being inserted in the envelope. In devising my improved envelope I have made use of this feature of the Post Office regulations.

The preferred embodiment of my invention comprises an envelope having a front portion, side aps, a bottom flap and a sealing flap. At least one of the side flaps is fixed to the bottom flap at a single point only, preferably by means of a spot of gum. The other side flap can be sealed throughout the length thereof to the bottom flap in the ordinary manner, so that the tivo side flaps and the bottom flap form the back of the envelope in the ordinary way, except that one of the side flaps is fixed to the bottom flap at one point only.

My invention also includes the provision of means loosely engaging the bottom flap so as to hold the upper edge thereof against either one or both of the side flaps. This means is preferably in the form of an auxiliary flap integral with one of the side flaps and adapted to be folded back against the outside of the bottom flap so as to hold the upper edge thereof in position Without the necessity of using gum or other sealing material.

My invention may be utilized in various forms, some of which are disclosed in the following detailed description and in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings- Fig. 1 is an elevation of an envelope made in accordance With my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of an envelope similar to that shown in Figure 1, showing one stage in the process of the making of the envelope.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section view of my improved envelope.

Figs. 4, 6, 8 and 10 are elevations of modilied forms of my invention; and

Figs. 5, 7, 9 and 11 are elevations of the embodiments of Figures 4, 6,-8 and 10, showing one step in the process of making each of these forms of the invention.

The envelope shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises a front portion 1, a bottom flap 2. side fiaps 3 and 4, and a sealing fia-p 5. The envelope is preferably in one piece which can be out or stamped from a large sheet in the Well-known manner. The front portion 1, bottom flap 2, and sealing fla-p 5, are of ordinary shape, as will be apparent upon looking at Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. The side fiaps 3 and 4 are preferably shaped so as to form extensions 6 and 7 at the upper ends thereof, as best shown in Figure 2.

The first operation in forming the envelope of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive out of a blank Which has been cut in the ordinary manner is to apply the gum or other sealing material to certain surfaces of the several Haps. In Figure 2, the gum is shown as applied to the sealing flap at 8, and a spot of gum is applied to each of the side aps 3 and 4 near the lower ends of these flaps, as shown at 9 and 10. The first folding operation consists in folding in the tvvo side flaps 3 and 4, this being the first step in forming the back of the envelope. The bottom Hap 2 is then turned up in the ordinary lit) f in the usualmanner.

manner and folded against the outer faces of the tivo side flaps 3 and 4; The gummed spots 9 and l0 serve to fix the bottom flap in position against the side flaps. It is thus apparent that each side flap is fixed to the bottom iiap 2 at a single point, the purpose of this being to provide some means for holding the bottom flap in position until the. envelope is sealed by moistening the gummed surface 8 on the sealing flap 5 and pressing this flap in `position against the bottom flap.

After the bot-tom flap has been folded up and fastened to the two side flaps as above described, the sealing flap 5 is folded down This operation automatically folds the auxiliary flaps 6 and 7 carried by the side flaps 3 and 4 respectively down against the outer face of the bottom flap 2, as shown in Figure l. The small flaps 6 and 7 serve as an auxiliary means for holding the bottom flap in position against the tWo side flaps. There is no g'um on the flaps 6 and 7 of Figures 1 and 2, and accordingly these flaps hold the upper edge of the bottom flap in position loosely. In addition to holding the upper edge of the bottom flap in position, the auxiliary flaps G and 7 protect the back of the envelope at the points Where the upper edge of the bottom tiap meets the upper edges of the two side flaps so as to prevent these parts from being sepa.- rated when a. letter or circular is being inserted in the envelope. Y

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures l and 2 possesses the distinct advantage that only a very small quantity of gum is required for fastenii'ig the bottom flap to the two side flaps. The `spots of gum 9 and 10 should not be larger than is necessary to hold the back flaps together when a letter or circular is being inserted in the envelope; I prefer to employ the auxiliary iiaps 6 and 7 to supplement the' action 'of the spots of gum 9 and l() in holding the back flap in position', for the provision of these auxiliary flaps makes it possible to further reduce the size of the spot yof gum afpplied to each of the side flaps. It will be understood, however, that the spots of gtnn applied in the manner described vcan be used to advantage even though the auxiliary flaps G and 7 are not provided.

Figures 4 to ll inclusive show various modifications of my invention. Many parts of these several embodiments are identical with those shown in Figures l and 2, and accordingly the same reference characters are used to designate these parts.

The embodiment shown in Figures Lland 5 is identical with that of Figures l and 2 'except for the manner in which lthe bottom flap 2 is fixed to one of the side flaps. The bottom Hap of Figures et and "5 is fixed to side flap 4 by a single spot of gum l0, but the other edge of the bottom flap 2 is provided With gum along the entire edge. Accordingly, when the bottom fiap 2 is folded up in position, it is sealed to the side flap 3 along the entire edge of this side flap. This form of my invention is perhaps more substantial than that shown in Figures 1 and 2. One of the side flaps is firmly sealed against the bottom flap,- but the other side iap is fastened to the bottom iiap at a single point only, so that the postal oiiicials can readily open the envelope by pulling out the flap e. The auxiliary flap 7 serves to hold the upper edge of the bottom flap loosely in position against the upper end of the'. flap l as described in connection With Figures l and 2. The auxiliary flap t5 protects the point Where the bottom flap 2 meets the upper edge of the side flap 3. This auxiliary flap 6 may or may not be used, but if it is used it serves as a means for strengthening the back of the envelope to a considerable extent. This auxiliary iiap may even be provided with gum on the under surface thereof so as to seal it against the upper edge of the bottom i'iap and against the upper edge of the side flap 3.

The embodiment shovvn in Figures and 7 is identical with that shown in Figures 4 and 5 except for the position of the spot of gum l0. In Figures 6 and 7. this spot of gum is shown as applied to the side flap Li near the ripper end thereof. This merely illustrates the fact that this spot of gum can be applied to lone or both of the side iiaps at any point along the edge thereof which may be found t'o be most efhcient.

Certain features of my invention will be found useful in making envelopes Aintended to receive first class postage and Figures i to ll inclusive are intended to illustrate 'cartain Ways in Which my invention canbe so employed. The envelope shown in Figures 8 and 9 is of substantially the same shape and forni as that shownr in Figures l and 2. Instead 'of applying a single spot of gum to one or both of the side flaps, however, means is provided for fixing both side flaps to the bottom fiap along the entire edge of each side flap. This means may be in the form of gummed surfaces ll and l2 provided on the bottom flap 2', as shown in Figure 9. Then this fiap is folded upin position, these surfaces seal the bottom flap to both side flaps in substantially the same manner that the bottom flap of an ordinary 'envelope is sealed in position. In fact, the envelope of Figures 8 and 9 is substantially the same as an ordinary envelope except for the provision of the auxiliary iiaps 6 and 7. These small flaps 6 and 7 are folded over by the operation of folding the sealing flap', and they serve to protect the corners of the bottoni fiap as above described. I

The envelope shown vin Figures l0 and 1l is identical With that of Figures 8 and 9 except for the small auxiliary flaps G and 7. In Figures l0 and ll these small flaps are provided with gum or other sealing material on the under surfaces thereof so that when the scaling flap 5 is folded down the small flaps 6 and 7 are firmly sealed against the bottom flap 2 and the side flaps 3 and 4. This provides an eflicient reinforcing means for the upper edge of the back of the envelope at the points where reinforcement is of greatest value.

lVhile I have illustrated and described several embodiments of my invention for the purpose of indicating the scope of the invention, yet it will be understood that it may be used in many forms other than those described. For example, in the description of Figures l and 2, the spots of gum 9 and l0 were said to be applied to the side flaps 3 and 4 before these flaps were folded in. These spots of gum could of course be applied to the bottom flap 2 instead of to the side flaps, as will be readily understood, the important consideration being to provfide l some means for fixing each side flap to the bottom flap at a single point. Any suitable means can be employed to accomplish this result. In the embodiments of the invention having one or more loosely held side flaps, the gummed surface 8 on the sealing flap should not be so extensive as to fix the sealing flap 5 to the loosely held side flap or flaps; but in the form shown in Figures 8 to 1l inclusive. the gummed surface 8 may of course extend outso as to seal the flap 5 against the side flaps 3 and @t as well as against the bottom flap 2.

I claim:

l. An envelope comprising` a front portion, a bottom flap. two side flaps, a sealing fiap. and means for loosely holding said bottom flap against one side flap at one point, the said bottom flap being fixed to this side iiap at another point by a rupturable connect-ion, whereby these two flaps can be separated readily.

2. An envelope comprising a front portion, a bottom flap, two side flaps, a sealing flap, and means carried by one side flap for loosely holding the upper edge of said bottom flap against this side flap7 the said bottom flap being xed to this side fia-p at one point only by a rupturable connection, whereby these two flaps can be separated readily.

3. An envelope comprising a front portion, a bottom fiap, two side flaps. al sealing flap, said bottom flap having all of one edge thereof sealed to one side flap and the other edge thereof sealed to the other side flap at one point only, whereby the bottom flap and the last mentioned side flap may be separated readily, and means carried by the last mentioned side flap and engaging the outside of said bottom iiap for loosely holding the upper edge of said bottom flap against this side flap.

ll. An envelope comprising` a. front portion7 a bottom flap, two side flaps, a sealing fiap, said bottom flap having all of one edge thereof sealed to one side flap and the other edge thereof sealed to the other side Hap at one point only7 and an auxiliary flap at the upper edge of the last mentioned side flap and folded back against the outside of said bottom flap to hold the upper edge of the bottom flap against this side flap, the said auxiliary fiap being held in place by the sealing flap only.

5. An envelope comprising a front portion, a bottom flap, two side flaps, a sealing flap, said bottom flap having all of one edge thereof sealed to one side flap and the other edge thereof sealed to the other side flap at one point only, and an auxiliary flap at the upper edge of the last mentioned side flap and folded back against the outside of said bottom flap to hold the upper edge of the bottom flap against this side flap, said sealing flap having gum thereon for sealing this flap to the bottom flap only and the said auxiliary flap being held in place by the sealing flap only.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

lGEORGE FRANCIS HOGAN. 

